Roundup: UF softball rallies past USF

Special to Gatorsports.com

Published: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 12:00 a.m.

The No. 4 Gator softball team got a game-tying RBI single from freshman Kirsti Merritt, followed by a two-run homer from sophomore Lauren Haeger in the top of the sixth inning to defeat USF, 3-1, in Tampa on Wednesday.

Florida notched its seventh come-from-behind victory of the season to improve to 17-1 overall in 2013. Five different Gators connected for hits on the evening, but one each from freshman Kelsey Stewart, Merritt and Haeger made the difference in the game against the Bulls (6-9).

Facing a 1-0 deficit heading to the sixth following a Kenshyra Jackson solo homer in the fourth for USF, the Gators put together a game-winning two-out rally, starting with the top of the UF lineup and Stewart.

The Gators now return home for just the second time this season for a second home tournament of 2013. UF will host Drake, Mount St. Mary’s, FAMU and Presbyterian in the three-day tournament March 1-3. The Gators will open the tournament Friday at 4 p.m. with Drake, followed by a 6:15 match-up with Mount St. Mary’s.

Women’s basketball: Florida plays host to Arkansas today in its final regular-season home game that is the only meeting this year between the Gators and Razorbacks. Tip-off from the O’Connell Center is set for 7 p.m.

The Gators and Razorbacks are currently tied for eighth in the overall Southeastern Conference standings sporting matching 5-9 records in league play with both teams playing one more game before the league’s postseason tournament.

Florida plays at 14th-ranked South Carolina on Sunday in its last game prior to the SEC Tournament, while Arkansas ends its regular season at home against Ole Miss.

<p>The No. 4 Gator softball team got a game-tying RBI single from freshman Kirsti Merritt, followed by a two-run homer from sophomore Lauren Haeger in the top of the sixth inning to defeat USF, 3-1, in Tampa on Wednesday.</p><p> Florida notched its seventh come-from-behind victory of the season to improve to 17-1 overall in 2013. Five different Gators connected for hits on the evening, but one each from freshman Kelsey Stewart, Merritt and Haeger made the difference in the game against the Bulls (6-9).</p><p>Facing a 1-0 deficit heading to the sixth following a Kenshyra Jackson solo homer in the fourth for USF, the Gators put together a game-winning two-out rally, starting with the top of the UF lineup and Stewart.</p><p>The Gators now return home for just the second time this season for a second home tournament of 2013. UF will host Drake, Mount St. Mary's, FAMU and Presbyterian in the three-day tournament March 1-3. The Gators will open the tournament Friday at 4 p.m. with Drake, followed by a 6:15 match-up with Mount St. Mary's.</p><p>Women's basketball: Florida plays host to Arkansas today in its final regular-season home game that is the only meeting this year between the Gators and Razorbacks. Tip-off from the O'Connell Center is set for 7 p.m.</p><p> The Gators and Razorbacks are currently tied for eighth in the overall Southeastern Conference standings sporting matching 5-9 records in league play with both teams playing one more game before the league's postseason tournament.</p><p>Florida plays at 14th-ranked South Carolina on Sunday in its last game prior to the SEC Tournament, while Arkansas ends its regular season at home against Ole Miss.</p>